Community Music School intern helps share stories of Rowan artists & the school's programs

It has been a busy summer for Rowan’s Community Music School (CMS), presenting existing programs while preparing for a dynamic new season in the fall. According to director Elizabeth Guerriero, an “invaluable” asset during this time came thanks to a match made through the Diversity in Arts Leadership (DIAL) internship program administered by Americans for the Arts.

From her home in Summit, New Jersey, Mimi Laws is nonetheless accomplishing some important work on the university campus. Virtually and literally. Her internship has allowed her to contribute to a wide range of CMS projects in addition to giving her new insights into her own future. She’s been redesigning the website, creating the latest editions of the monthly newsletter, developing an annual report, and working on social media and marketing projects.

Excited by the many accomplishments on Laws’ list, Guerriero has been especially eager for the debut of the new website, which launched August 2 and coincides with the end of the internship. But Laws’ work for CMS won’t end there. “We’re excited to transition Mimi into a new position at Rowan Community Music School and she will be taking the helm as our first Marketing, Social Media and Development Assistant.” Guerriero added.

“I’ve learned something new every single day,” Laws said of doing the job remotely. “I’m reworking how my mind works.” It’s been especially different for her when it comes to engaging with people and teams. “It’s been interesting forming these connections and communities virtually.”

At the heart of her work has been an effort known as Humanizing Music. Suggested by Rowan alum and CMS advisory council member Siiyara Nelson, the endeavor seeks to collect and document the personal career journeys of people connected to Rowan’s performing arts community; to humanize musicians, dancers, and actors through conversations about how they started their careers. The goal is to develop an educational resource for students considering careers in the arts so they can learn from the experiences of professionals.

So far, the Rowan subjects have included Nelson as well as Denis DiBlasio (Jazz professor), Michael McArthur (Music Industry faculty), Christopher Roche (Theatre & Dance faculty), and Paule Turner (chair of the Department of Theatre & Dance). Laws, a University of Richmond senior majoring in Leadership Studies and minoring in Business Administration, has embraced this work and been inspired by it as well.

“When you talk to these people, you give context to their journeys,” she said. She’s created brief summaries of the advice people have been giving, shared them on social media, and is considering how to somehow archive the stories.

Laws’ own story includes a passion for music; she’s played the viola and participated in numerous ensembles over the last 11 years. She’s interned for Richmond Symphony’s Education Office and their virtual Richmond Symphony School of Music, researching learning management software, facilitating classes, and assisting students and faculty.

Looking for another experience this summer, Laws applied for the DIAL internship. From the other side, Guerriero submitted to host. The process matches undergraduate students from backgrounds underrepresented in arts leadership with arts organizations, communities, and mentors.

“The help she’s provided for CMS this summer is invaluable,” said Guerriero. “It feels like a good match.”

For Laws, working for the Community Music School has only solidified her goals.

“This has definitely reinforced the feeling that I want to go into the arts field,” she noted. “I’m even more excited to take the next step forward.”

Visit the newly-designed Rowan Community Music School website at: go.rowan.edu/communitymusic.